Mock Draft and Offseason Thoughts

[Manning1887]

I want to start my mock draft by saying I have huge man-crush on Solomon Thomas from Stanford. I would love to see him rocking the Colts blue next year, unfortunately, it is looking more and more like he will be top 5 pick. It's still early, but if that is the case, I am strongly in favor of trading back to accumulate picks. 

 

Offseason: I am not going to try to play cap specialist and hypothesize at what kind of contract we can hand out. I like Kevin Zeitler, but I doubt we get him. I am starting to come around to the idea of pay Dontari Poe a monster deal to come to Indy. Perhaps Ballard will have a little bit of an inside track on him, who knows. Adding that monster to the middle of the D completely alters the dynamic of the D. We have not had a dominant interior presence like Poe that I can remember. 

 

Trade 1: I could see a team like Oakland looking to trade up to add an impact player like Reuben Foster to their D. Granted, we could also use Reuben Foster, but the value of an extra second round pick is too great for a Colts team with many needs. 

 

Trade 2: I could see moving back for an extra 4th round pick with a team like Pittsburgh or Green Bay, who will likely be in the market for a CB like Sidney Jones or Quincy Wilson who may fall to the 24th pick. 

 

1.) Forrest Lamp OG Western Kentucky 

Despite the o-line heavy draft last year, we still have a number of questions on along our offensive line. Lamp has the potential to lock-down the right guard spot for the next 10 plus years and dramatically enhance the run game. Also consider Mewhort is entering a contract year. It is early, but Lamp is looking like a name that will start to climb up draft boards. 

 

2.) TJ Watt OLB Wisconsin

Like many fans who post on this board, I am a big fan of TJ Watt. Regardless of how he tests at the combine, this guy is a tenacious defender who has the potential to dramatically upgrade the defense by finally giving us a legitimate pass rushing threat. 

 

2.) Budda Baker CB/S Washington

I love this guy! He is undersized, but he is a big time competitor and PLAYMAKER!!! Our D is in dire need of a playmaker. Baker reminds me a great deal of Tyrann Mathieu of the Cardinals. Baker will give us some versatility in the secondary. 

 

3.) Daeshon Hall DE Texas A&M 

Hall is a bit of a riser after the Senior Bowl. He possesses a lot of untapped potential as a pass-rusher with ridiculous size and athleticism. He reminds me of Danielle Hunter of LSU in 2015 who was taken in the 3rd round by the Vikings, who possessed the traits you want in a pass-rusher but was raw. Hall has the potential to become something special.

 

4.) Larry Ogunjobi DT Charlotte  

Very athletic defensive tackle. He reminds me of Javon Hargrave last year, who was taken by the Steelers in the 3rd round. He is raw, but he has the opportunity to develop into a special player given the athleticism he possesses for his size. 

 

4.) Tarell Basham DE Ohio 

Another riser from Senior Bowl week who still seems to be flying under the radar. Basham was a terror in the MAC, which I feel is an underrated conference. Given that we are incredibly thin when it comes to pass rushers, I could see loading up in this draft. 

 

4.) James Conner RB Pitt

I like this guy and I love his story. He came back from beating cancer with a stellar season. He reminds me of Jordan Howard (RB Bears), who was a 5th round pick last year. In a strong running back draft, Conner could slip to the 4th or 5th round. It will be interesting to see what he runs in the forty yard dash. 

 

5.) Jonnu Smith TE Florida International 

I have a feeling we are going to lose Jack Doyle in free agency. Given the emergence of Swoope, the money dedicated to Allen, and the needs on D, that may be best. This is a strong TE draft and Smith offers loads of potential. He is an athletic tight end who offers potential to develop into a special player. 

 

6.) Ben Boulware LB Clemson

Tough hard-nosed competitor. He is undersized though and not the best athlete. Has experience on special teams where he could really make his mark. 

 

 

 

 

[BProland85]

Not a fan of your draft at all. We have to get impact defensive players early in the draft, and spending our 1st on a OG would be somewhat of a waste if you ask me. Indy already has young talent at OG in Haeg, Mewhort, and Good. If anything, Indy needs to sign a veteran presence at OG like TJ Lang, Zeitler, or Leary. -1st round I go with Takk McKinley after a trade down.

 

2nd round I'm not so high on TJ Watt. I'd go CB instead since I went OLB round 1. I like Gareon Conley here. With the second 2nd rounder I'd almost like to go CB again with a guy like Jourdan Lewis, who would be an excellent nickel for Indy. Another option is to get Ryan Anderson from Bama.

[Manning1887]

2 hours ago, BProland85 said:

Not a fan of your draft at all. We have to get impact defensive players early in the draft, and spending our 1st on a OG would be somewhat of a waste if you ask me. Indy already has young talent at OG in Haeg, Mewhort, and Good. If anything, Indy needs to sign a veteran presence at OG like TJ Lang, Zeitler, or Leary. -1st round I go with Takk McKinley after a trade down.

 

2nd round I'm not so high on TJ Watt. I'd go CB instead since I went OLB round 1. I like Gareon Conley here. With the second 2nd rounder I'd almost like to go CB again with a guy like Jourdan Lewis, who would be an excellent nickel for Indy. Another option is to get Ryan Anderson from Bama.

 

I think Haeg has a bright future in Indy. I am not as sold on Mewhort long-term. I think he will command a contract greater than his play and availability would dictate. I would love to sign Zeitler, but it will likely require a contract averaging $10 million + per season and I do not feel Cincy will ultimately let him go. 

 

McKinley would be ok, although he only has one good year of tape as he really came on this season. Anderson is a possibility in the 2nd round, but I am not as high on him. I think Anderson really benefited from all the talent around him at Alabama. I do not see him having the same level of impact in the NFL.

 

I do like Jourdan Lewis. A little undersized, but like Baker, is a playmaker with outstanding athleticism. 

[WarGhost21]

I like the players, just not the selections (sounds confusing, I know). If Foster was still on the board when we're drafting, don't do your first trade. I can see where acquiring more picks is good, but Foster will be a total game changer. Lamp may still be available with our 2nd round pick and if so, no brain pick up. I love Lamp and I feel a he will finish our line rebuild, with AC, Mewhort, Kelly, Lamp, and Clark. If Watt is still there with our 2nd though, I'd take him over Lamp.

[richard pallo]

I am with you on your selection of Bubba Baker.  I like him a lot and your description of him is perfect. Reminds me a lot of Bob Sanders.  I am surprised he is not mentioned at all. I would love him in the second and I too think Thomas should be our pick in the 1st. if Fournett and Cook are gone.  I am hoping Ballard gets us both Zeitler and Poe. Those two would immediately solidify both lines.  If not Poe than I hope he gets us another solid vet. I think that position alone would help out our backers tremendously. 

[Eharv1]

Just trade Mewhort for a second and sign Zeitler so we don't have to trade back in the first